Union Budget 2025: ₹14,925.81 Crore Boost for Tribal Development to Drive Viksit Bharat

India, home to over 10.45 crore Scheduled Tribe (ST) individuals—comprising 8.6% of the total population—boasts a rich and diverse tribal heritage. Despite their significant presence, many tribal communities remain in remote and inaccessible regions, facing socio-economic challenges. Recognising this, the government has consistently prioritised their development. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Budget 2025-26 reaffirms this commitment with an unprecedented increase in budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, aimed at ensuring holistic and sustainable development for tribal communities across the country.

Unprecedented Budgetary Support for Tribal Welfare

The government has demonstrated its dedication to tribal welfare through a substantial increase in financial support.

• The total budget allocation for the development of Scheduled Tribes has risen from ₹10,237.33 crore in 2024-25 to ₹14,925.81 crore in 2025-26, marking a 45.79% surge.
• The Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY) has been expanded and integrated into the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) with an outlay of ₹80,000 crore over five years.
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has seen consistent budget growth, from ₹7,511.64 crore in 2023-24 to ₹10,237.33 crore in 2024-25, now reaching ₹14,925.81 crore in 2025-26.
• Compared to ₹4,497.96 crore in 2014-15, the current allocation marks a 231.83% increase, showcasing the government’s sustained focus on tribal development.

Key Allocations and Flagship Initiatives

1. Expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

The budget for EMRS has nearly doubled from ₹4,748 crore to ₹7,088.60 crore, ensuring quality education for tribal students in remote areas.

2. Strengthening the Pradhan Mantri Jan Jatiya Vikas Mission

A 149% budget hike from ₹152.32 crore to ₹380.40 crore aims to provide year-round income-generating opportunities for tribal communities.

3. Enhanced Investment in Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY)

The scheme has witnessed a 163% increase in funding to ₹335.97 crore, focusing on bridging infrastructural gaps in education, healthcare, and employment.

4. Support for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

Under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), funding for Multi-Purpose Centres (MPCs) has doubled from ₹150 crore to ₹300 crore, providing essential socio-economic support in PVTG-dominated areas.

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: A Game-Changer

Building on the success of PM-JANMAN, the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) aims to address infrastructure deficits in 63,843 villages with a budget of ₹79,156 crore over five years:

• Central Share: ₹56,333 crore
• State Share: ₹22,823 crore
• 17 ministries collaborating through 25 targeted interventions to uplift tribal communities.

The allocation for DAJGUA under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has quadrupled from ₹500 crore to ₹2,000 crore, reflecting the government’s commitment to grassroots tribal empowerment.

Towards a Viksit Bharat with Inclusive Growth

The Union Budget 2025 marks a paradigm shift in tribal development, with a strong emphasis on education, healthcare, skill development, and economic empowerment. By integrating multi-ministerial interventions, the government is fostering inclusive growth, ensuring that tribal communities are not merely beneficiaries but active contributors to the nation’s progress.

Through strategic investments and progressive policies, India is moving towards Viksit Bharat, where tribal communities receive the opportunities and resources they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving socio-economic landscape.

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